We disclose a concierge device that can be configured to register, control and support a consumer device. It can alternatively or redundantly connect to a home management bridge and/or cloud-based management servers. It can accept menus that allow a single concierge device to provide a wide range of functions for various consumer devices. The concierge device allows the user in a single action to initiate a support session, automatically identifying the consumer device. The concierge device can be configured for voice or video support calls. The concierge device in conjunction with a home management bridge or gateway can manage on boarding of components of an automated home, such as switches and lamps. Implementations of the concierge device that include a display can show supplemental information, such as advertising, optionally in coordination with media being played on a consumer device coupled in communication with the concierge device.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method of on boarding both a control device and a controlled device, the method including: receiving a first enrollment signal sent by a first controllable device via a two way wireless channel used by the first controllable device to receive command strings, wherein the enrollment signal includes a device identifier that identifies the first controllable device; registering the first controllable device with a cloud based service and using its device identifier to determine from a cloud based or cached database its controllable functions and corresponding command strings to control the controllable functions; receiving a second enrollment signal sent by a second control device with a device identifier that identifies the second control device; registering the second control device with a cloud based service and using its device identifier to determine from a cloud based or cached database control commands that it produces in response to user operation; receiving a dedication command and responsively configuring a combination of the first controllable device, a handheld concierge device, a control gateway, and the second control device so that user operation of the second control device is dedicated to controlling at least some of the controllable functions by causing the command strings to be sent to the first controllable device when the user operates the second control device; configuring the handheld concierge device to replicate controls provided by the second control device and to send the command strings to the first controllable device, responsive to user control input at the handheld concierge device; wherein the command strings are sent from the second control device to the first controllable device via the handheld concierge device following user operation of the second control device, or the command strings are sent from the second control device to the first controllable device by the control gateway, which is a separate physical device from the handheld concierge device.
A system for adding new devices to a smart home network involves a "concierge device" (like a tablet) and a gateway. A controllable device (like a light) sends a wireless signal to the system with its ID. The system then uses the ID to look up the device's functions and commands in a cloud database. Next, a control device (like a remote) sends its ID. The system uses this ID to determine what commands it can produce. Finally, when the user configures the system, it links a specific control device's commands to a controllable device's functions, routing the commands through either the concierge device or gateway, thus enabling a user to on-board both the control and controlled device at once. The concierge device replicates the controls of the remote allowing for additional user input.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the handheld concierge device replicates controls of multiple control devices configured to control multiple controllable devices, selectable by user selection among the multiple controllable devices.
This system from the previous description allows the handheld concierge device to replicate controls from multiple control devices (like different remotes) that are configured to control multiple controllable devices (like lights, TVs, etc.). The user can select which controllable device they want to control using the handheld concierge device's interface, switching between controlling various devices through the same handheld interface, consolidating control of various controllable devices with a single handheld device.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the command strings are sent peer-to-peer from the second control device to the first controllable device.
This system from the original description enables direct communication. Instead of sending commands through the concierge device or gateway, the control device sends commands directly to the controllable device, cutting out the middleman and potentially reducing latency, enabling peer-to-peer communication between the devices for faster and more responsive control.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dedication command is received from the user via a microphone on the handheld concierge device as an audible command.
In this system from the original description, the user can configure the link between the control device and the controllable device by speaking a command into the handheld concierge device. The handheld device interprets the voice command and then configures the system appropriately, initiating the "dedication" with a spoken command for ease of use.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dedication command is screen touch received via a display screen on the handheld concierge device.
In this system from the original description, the user configures the link between the control device and the controllable device by using the touch screen on the handheld concierge device, providing a visual and interactive method for dedicating the controller device's functions, where the user can touch elements on the screen to complete the configuration.
6. The method of claim 1 , further including requiring biometric authentication, via the handheld concierge device, of a user prior to carrying out the dedication command.
The previously described system requires the user to use biometric authentication (like a fingerprint or facial scan) on the handheld concierge device before it will configure the link between the control device and the controllable device. This adds a security layer, ensuring only authorized users can set up the system and preventing unauthorized control.
7. The method of claim 1 , further including displaying supplemental information on a display of the handheld concierge device.
The previously described system displays extra information on the handheld concierge device's screen. This information could relate to the controlled device or system status, improving user experience by providing supplementary details.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the supplemental information on the display of the handheld concierge device is an advertisement.
The handheld concierge device in the system previously described displays advertisements on its screen. The advertisements are supplemental information shown to the user on the display, which may be related to the devices being controlled, enabling revenue generation through advertisement placements.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dedication command is accompanied by a selection of the first controllable device from a plurality of controllable devices and by a selection of the second control device from a plurality of control devices.
When the user configures the system to link a control device to a controllable device, they can select from a list of available devices on both sides. The handheld device shows a list of controllable devices and a list of control devices and the user picks what to connect, which allows the dedication command to target specific control and controllable devices amongst others connected to the system.
10. The method of claim 1 , further including: prior to processing the enrollment signals, establishing an inventory of uniquely identified control devices and controllable devices with the control gateway, the inventory including at least the first controllable device and the second control device; matching information in the first enrollment signal to the inventory responsive to the first enrollment signal; and matching information in the second enrollment signal to the inventory responsive to the second enrollment signal.
Before the system adds any devices, it creates a list of all the available control and controllable devices connected to the network. When a device sends its signal, the system checks this list to confirm it's a valid device before adding it to the system, making sure the enrollment is legitimate against a pre-existing list of devices connected to the control gateway.
11. A non-transitory computer readable medium impressed with computer instructions that, when executed on one or more processors of a handheld concierge device and a control gateway, cause performance of a method of on boarding both a control device and a controlled device, the method including: receiving a first enrollment signal sent by a first controllable device via a two way wireless channel used by the first controllable device to receive command strings, wherein the enrollment signal includes a device identifier that identifies the first controllable device; registering the first controllable device with a cloud based service and using its device identifier to determine from a cloud based or cached database its controllable functions and corresponding command strings to control the controllable functions; receiving a second enrollment signal sent by a second control device with a device identifier that identifies the second control device; registering the second control device with a cloud based service and using its device identifier to determine from a cloud based or cached database control commands that it produces in response to user operation; receiving a dedication command and responsively configuring a combination of the first controllable device, the handheld concierge device, the control gateway, and the second control device so that user operation of the second control device is dedicated to controlling at least some of the controllable functions by causing the command strings to be sent to the first controllable device when the user operates the second control device; configuring the handheld concierge device to replicate controls provided by the second control device and to send the command strings to the first controllable device, responsive to user control input at the handheld concierge device; wherein the command strings are sent from the second control device to the first controllable device via the handheld concierge device following user operation of the second control device, or the command strings are sent from the second control device to the first controllable device by the control gateway, which is a separate physical device from the handheld concierge device.
Software running on a "concierge device" (like a tablet) and a gateway adds new devices to a smart home network. A controllable device (like a light) sends a wireless signal to the system with its ID. The system then uses the ID to look up the device's functions and commands in a cloud database. Next, a control device (like a remote) sends its ID. The system uses this ID to determine what commands it can produce. Finally, when the user configures the system, it links a specific control device's commands to a controllable device's functions, routing the commands through either the concierge device or gateway. The concierge device replicates the controls of the remote allowing for additional user input.
12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the handheld concierge device replicates controls of multiple control devices configured to control multiple controllable devices, selectable by user selection among the multiple controllable devices.
This software system from the previous description allows the handheld concierge device to replicate controls from multiple control devices (like different remotes) that are configured to control multiple controllable devices (like lights, TVs, etc.). The user can select which controllable device they want to control using the handheld concierge device's interface, switching between controlling various devices through the same handheld interface, consolidating control of various controllable devices with a single handheld device.
13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the command strings are sent peer-to-peer from the second control device to the first controllable device.
This software system from the original description enables direct communication. Instead of sending commands through the concierge device or gateway, the control device sends commands directly to the controllable device, cutting out the middleman and potentially reducing latency, enabling peer-to-peer communication between the devices for faster and more responsive control.
14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the dedication command is received from the user via a microphone on the handheld concierge device as an audible command.
In this software system from the original description, the user can configure the link between the control device and the controllable device by speaking a command into the handheld concierge device. The handheld device interprets the voice command and then configures the system appropriately, initiating the "dedication" with a spoken command for ease of use.
15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the dedication command is screen touch received via a display screen on the handheld concierge device.
In this software system from the original description, the user configures the link between the control device and the controllable device by using the touch screen on the handheld concierge device, providing a visual and interactive method for dedicating the controller device's functions, where the user can touch elements on the screen to complete the configuration.
16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , the method further including requiring biometric authentication, via the handheld concierge device, of a user prior to carrying out the dedication command.
The previously described software system requires the user to use biometric authentication (like a fingerprint or facial scan) on the handheld concierge device before it will configure the link between the control device and the controllable device. This adds a security layer, ensuring only authorized users can set up the system and preventing unauthorized control.
17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , the method further including displaying supplemental information on a display of the handheld concierge device.
The previously described software system displays extra information on the handheld concierge device's screen. This information could relate to the controlled device or system status, improving user experience by providing supplementary details.
18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the supplemental information on the display of the handheld concierge device is an advertisement.
The handheld concierge device in the software system previously described displays advertisements on its screen. The advertisements are supplemental information shown to the user on the display, which may be related to the devices being controlled, enabling revenue generation through advertisement placements.
19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the dedication command is accompanied by a selection of the first controllable device from a plurality of controllable devices and by a selection of the second control device from a plurality of control devices.
When the user configures the software system to link a control device to a controllable device, they can select from a list of available devices on both sides. The handheld device shows a list of controllable devices and a list of control devices and the user picks what to connect, which allows the dedication command to target specific control and controllable devices amongst others connected to the system.
20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , the method further including: prior to processing the enrollment signals, establishing an inventory of uniquely identified control devices and controllable devices with the control gateway, the inventory including at least the first controllable device and the second control device; matching information in the first enrollment signal to the inventory responsive to the first enrollment signal; and matching information in the second enrollment signal to the inventory responsive to the second enrollment signal.
Before the software system adds any devices, it creates a list of all the available control and controllable devices connected to the network. When a device sends its signal, the system checks this list to confirm it's a valid device before adding it to the system, making sure the enrollment is legitimate against a pre-existing list of devices connected to the control gateway.
21. A system including a handheld concierge device and a control gateway, including at least one processor and memory holding computer instructions that, when executed on one or more processors of a handheld concierge device and a control gateway, cause performance of a method of on boarding both a control device and a controlled device, the method including: receiving a first enrollment signal sent by a first controllable device via a two way wireless channel used by the first controllable device to receive command strings, wherein the enrollment signal includes a device identifier that identifies the first controllable device; registering the first controllable device with a cloud based service and using its device identifier to determine from a cloud based or cached database its controllable functions and corresponding command strings to control the controllable functions; receiving a second enrollment signal sent by a second control device with a device identifier that identifies the second control device; registering the second control device with a cloud based service and using its device identifier to determine from a cloud based or cached database control commands that it produces in response to user operation; receiving a dedication command and responsively configuring a combination of the first controllable device, the handheld concierge device, the control gateway, and the second control device so that user operation of the second control device is dedicated to controlling at least some of the controllable functions by causing the command strings to be sent to the first controllable device when the user operates the second control device; configuring the handheld concierge device to replicate controls provided by the second control device and to send the command strings to the first controllable device, responsive to user control input at the handheld concierge device; wherein the command strings are sent from the second control device to the first controllable device via the handheld concierge device following user operation of the second control device, or the command strings are sent from the second control device to the first controllable device by the control gateway, which is a separate physical device from the handheld concierge device.
A system including a "concierge device" (like a tablet) and a gateway adds new devices to a smart home network. A controllable device (like a light) sends a wireless signal to the system with its ID. The system then uses the ID to look up the device's functions and commands in a cloud database. Next, a control device (like a remote) sends its ID. The system uses this ID to determine what commands it can produce. Finally, when the user configures the system, it links a specific control device's commands to a controllable device's functions, routing the commands through either the concierge device or gateway. The concierge device replicates the controls of the remote allowing for additional user input.
22. The system of claim 21 , wherein the handheld concierge device replicates controls of multiple control devices configured to control multiple controllable devices, selectable by user selection among the multiple controllable devices.
This system from the previous description allows the handheld concierge device to replicate controls from multiple control devices (like different remotes) that are configured to control multiple controllable devices (like lights, TVs, etc.). The user can select which controllable device they want to control using the handheld concierge device's interface, switching between controlling various devices through the same handheld interface, consolidating control of various controllable devices with a single handheld device.
23. The system of claim 21 , wherein the command strings are sent peer-to-peer from the second control device to the first controllable device.
This system from the original description enables direct communication. Instead of sending commands through the concierge device or gateway, the control device sends commands directly to the controllable device, cutting out the middleman and potentially reducing latency, enabling peer-to-peer communication between the devices for faster and more responsive control.
24. The system of claim 21 , wherein the dedication command is received from the user via a microphone on the handheld concierge device as an audible command.
In this system from the original description, the user can configure the link between the control device and the controllable device by speaking a command into the handheld concierge device. The handheld device interprets the voice command and then configures the system appropriately, initiating the "dedication" with a spoken command for ease of use.
25. The system of claim 21 , wherein the dedication command is screen touch received via a display screen on the handheld concierge device.
In this system from the original description, the user configures the link between the control device and the controllable device by using the touch screen on the handheld concierge device, providing a visual and interactive method for dedicating the controller device's functions, where the user can touch elements on the screen to complete the configuration.
26. The system of claim 21 , the method further including requiring biometric authentication, via the handheld concierge device, of a user prior to carrying out the dedication command.
The previously described system requires the user to use biometric authentication (like a fingerprint or facial scan) on the handheld concierge device before it will configure the link between the control device and the controllable device. This adds a security layer, ensuring only authorized users can set up the system and preventing unauthorized control.
27. The system of claim 21 , the method further including displaying supplemental information on a display of the handheld concierge device.
The previously described system displays extra information on the handheld concierge device's screen. This information could relate to the controlled device or system status, improving user experience by providing supplementary details.
28. The system of claim 27 , wherein the supplemental information on the display of the handheld concierge device is an advertisement.
The handheld concierge device in the system previously described displays advertisements on its screen. The advertisements are supplemental information shown to the user on the display, which may be related to the devices being controlled, enabling revenue generation through advertisement placements.
29. The system of claim 21 , wherein the dedication command is accompanied by a selection of the first controllable device from a plurality of controllable devices and by a selection of the second control device from a plurality of control devices.
When the user configures the system to link a control device to a controllable device, they can select from a list of available devices on both sides. The handheld device shows a list of controllable devices and a list of control devices and the user picks what to connect, which allows the dedication command to target specific control and controllable devices amongst others connected to the system.
30. The system of claim 21 , the method further including: prior to processing the enrollment signals, establishing an inventory of uniquely identified control devices and controllable devices with the control gateway, the inventory including at least the first controllable device and the second control device; matching information in the first enrollment signal to the inventory responsive to the first enrollment signal; and matching information in the second enrollment signal to the inventory responsive to the second enrollment signal.
Before the system adds any devices, it creates a list of all the available control and controllable devices connected to the network. When a device sends its signal, the system checks this list to confirm it's a valid device before adding it to the system, making sure the enrollment is legitimate against a pre-existing list of devices connected to the control gateway.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
January 5, 2012
April 4, 2017
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